Managed Hosting vs. Hosting: What’s the difference and what fits you?

If you want to host a website, you have several types of hosting to choose from. The two most common options are standard hosting (shared, VPS or dedicated) and managed hosting. But what are the differences? And which option is most suitable for your situation? In this blog we explain what both terms mean and which hosting solution is best for you.

What is standard hosting?

Standard hosting means you are responsible for managing your server environment yourself. There are several forms of hosting, such as:

• Shared Hosting:

  You share a server with other websites. This is the cheapest option, but also the least powerful.

• VPS Hosting (Virtual Private Server):

  You get a virtual part of a server with more control and better performance.

• Dedicated Hosting:

  You have an entire server to yourself, providing maximum control and performance.

With standard hosting you must handle technical tasks yourself, such as updates, security and backups.

What is Managed Hosting?

With managed hosting everything is taken care of by the hosting provider. You don’t have to worry about server management, security updates or technical problems. This offers several advantages:

• Automatic updates:

  The provider handles the latest software updates and security patches.

• Security:

  Firewalls, malware scans and DDoS protection are often included.

• Back‑ups:

  Automatic backups ensure your website can always be restored.

• Support:

  You receive professional support when something goes wrong.

Managed hosting is often chosen by businesses that lack the time or technical knowledge to manage their hosting themselves.

Main differences between managed hosting and standard hosting

Feature	Standard Hosting	Managed Hosting
Technical management	Handled by you	Outsourced to provider
Security	Installed and maintained by you	Included (firewalls, malware scans)
Updates & maintenance	Your responsibility	Automatic by provider
Back‑ups	Often manual	Automatically managed
Support	Limited or none	24/7 professional help
Cost	Cheaper	More expensive, but fully managed

Who is standard hosting suitable for?

• Freelancers and small businesses with a limited budget.

• Technically savvy users who want to manage their hosting themselves.

• Websites with low traffic and low complexity.

Who is managed hosting suitable for?

• Companies that want to focus on their core business without technical worries.

• E‑commerce stores and larger sites with many visitors.

• Websites where uptime, speed and security are critical.

Which hosting should you choose?

The choice depends on your needs and technical knowledge.

• Do you have a simple site and want to save money? Then standard hosting is perfectly fine.

• Do you want a hassle‑free, fast, secure and up‑to‑date site? Then managed hosting is the better choice.

Both managed and standard hosting have pros and cons. If you lack the time or expertise to manage a server, managed hosting provides great convenience. If you have a smaller budget and are technically capable, standard hosting works well.

View managed hosting options?